post race depression is totally normal and will pass. as some others have said, it is a good time to regroup, spend time with friends/family/other activities/etc. And maybe that dissatisfied feeling will help propel you to another goal.
post race depression is totally normal and will pass. as some others have said, it is a good time to regroup, spend time with friends/family/other activities/etc. And maybe that dissatisfied feeling will help propel you to another goal.
Similar Experience wrote:
I remember when the only thing I ever wanted to do was win a state title, I would've died for it. My senior year when I was on the straightaway all by myself sprinting to a state title, it might have been the greatest FEELING (not moment) of my life. But I'll never forget the bus ride back home, I was all by myself sitting in the back of the bus, feeling empty just like you. I remember thinking "damn nobody really cares". When I was a freshman I thought if I ever won a state title, I'd get any girl I ever dreamed of (which obviously wasn't true). That's the only reason I ran to get people to notice me. And when it was all said and done, nobody ever did notice me.
Virtually identical, only a County (like state) title. I thought I'd feel so good when I'd done it, but that night when I went out to celebrate, it was just "blah." I've been running for about another 35 years since, with performances all across the spectrum from the embarrassing to the pretty good, and the ones that have left me feeling really high are either good battles or surprising good runs.
I think the anti-climax after achieving a long-term goal is absolutely natural - and well-documented. Keep going and finding new goals, and the pleasant surprises along the way will probably come. Eventually, too, I think you'll find looking back you do have the contented and satisfaction of the the achievement, which last longer than the short-term high you probably expected.
Yes, perspective is everything. When you're young you don't have the benefit of the long view of time. The only way to get there is to live and learn from the ups and downs of racing, training, and the inevitable injuries.
Enjoy the moment at whatever stage you are in life. Thank the good Lord for each day you are healthy and even days when you are not.
It's not about the running goal itself it's about the lesson you learn from trying to obtain it. How did you achieve your goal of Allstate? You busted your ass, believed in yourself, and wouldn't stop working until you hit that goal. You take those lessons and apply to anything you want to do in life. You sound like you are about to head off for college soon. Take that work ethic and apply it to your course load and any summer internships you get in your 4 years and be the best at those. When you graduate and start your career, set a goal there and be the best at your job.
I still run recreationally 5 years after high school but the lessons I learned in XC and track stay with me to this day.
There is a scene is "chariots of fire" that depicts exactly what you are feeling. It is after one of the main characters wins his race and is sitting in the locker room. He just sites there quiet and lonely.
At the end of the day, all of running (goal-setting, training, racing) is just a way to pass the time as we wait for our bodies to decay. It is all "striving after wind." Parts of it are really enjoyable, you just just should not expect lasing fulfillment from it. Our bodies will inevitable decay and let us down. "Don't store up for yourself treasure on earth where moth and rust decay."
Don't get me wrong though. Running is great. It can be one of the most enjoyable parts of life. It is much better than the alternative...laziness, obesity, and watching your body fall apart decades sooner than it should.
Normal part of life. Take some time off and then you set another goal, running related or not.
Studies on happiness show most people are happiest when IN PURSUIT of a goal, not necessarily after achieving it. You get an initial high and then return to baseline.
My answer: Gin, and tonic.
GoatZenHeimer wrote:
My answer: Gin, and tonic.
You won't find happiness at the bottom of a bottle of tonic son.
"There's always another race."
If you did well, achieved your goals etc., enjoy the moment but remember that in a short while you will be racing again - possibly against the runners you just beat who will be heel bent on revenge. Get back into serious training!
If you ran like c**p, don't get too down Try and work out what went so horribly wrong - so as not to repeat the mistake - but get back in serious training! There will be another race coming along soon, your chance for redemption!
Trump2020OP wrote:
Being competitive means caring about your performance, if you lose to a better runner but gave it the best you had on that day then you should feel better than beating a less talented runner.
You can run without God, but the journey is better with him because his plan for your life has a higher calling even though you may not know exactly what it is sometimes.
God needs souls for his Kingdom, because he created us and is on a mission to reclaim what is his not his adversaries who is the great deceiver.
Shouldn't he just smite the deceiver or am I missing something?
And just how many souls does he need? You would have to figure that it's pretty crowded over there by now. Can they not breed over there? Sounds boring if not.
Some religious people is they believe it is the ONLY way to happiness, fulfillment, etc. They won't respect or even listen to another point of view. Different things work for different people because their minds and bodies work different ways and they have different experiences that shape their beliefs. There are a lot of happy Athiests out there. There are plenty of happy Fundamentalists too. But requiring that others believe exactly what they believe is not the path to happiness because it will never happen.
Jeebus don't care wrote:
"The reason I've had some success in running is because of God, and he's not just done with me now that I've done well."
What? The guys you beat didn't love "god" as much as you? Or maybe they did, but he just liked you better? Religious people are the most illogical people in the world.
Success in running doesn't necessarily mean beating people. It mostly means running to the best of your ability. And it's foolish to think God doesn't take any pleasure in helping us be our best when we follow His will.
the buddhists call that "annicca" "all is transitory" so yes everything in life will be like that a few moments of happiness they time to move on. Moments of pain ,sorrow etc, then moving on, Everything is transitory. Thats why they praictice non atachment and try to find inner peace happiness without the need of external situation/objects. Wise dudes.
WoatZenHeimer wrote:
GoatZenHeimer wrote:My answer: Gin, and tonic.
You won't find happiness at the bottom of a bottle of tonic son.
Correct answer: Gin.
7778878787 wrote:
Running and success in running is a wonderful thing. I love it. [B/] But that emptiness is a symptom of not clinging daily to that which you really need: Jesus.
I find your lack of faith disturbing. Fill that emptiness with hate. Pure hate. Let the hate flow through you. Only then will you know the powers of the dark side.
Tell me about it...
Not a neurologist but some of it is probably just an endorphin withdrawal. After a huge race/win/PR you are super up. The down is probably going to be a little lower than normal for a while.